UNITED: FFA Week marked with various schoolwide activities

ARMAGH — The week of Feb. 18-22 was national FFA (also known as Future Farmers of America) Week. National FFA Week was created to celebrate the organization and to help teach the community more about agriculture.

In honor of this week, United High School FFA members held a schoolwide celebration. The following activities were held: on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, students were encouraged to wear particular clothing in support of FFA.

Tuesday was camo day; Wednesday was blue and yellow day (the colors of FFA); and Thursday was support a truck or tractor company day.

On Friday, the muddiest vehicle contest was held. The winner of the muddiest vehicle contest was Eric Geschke; the second-place finisher was Trevor Holupka.

Thomas McDowell, a five-year FFA member, participated in the activities of FFA week because, “It is fun, and it allows people to see the real hick in you.”

The members of FFA do as much as they can for the United chapter. FFA holds a banquet for its members and students can attend a leadership conference. Members have also adopted a local road to keep it clean. In order to be able to participate in some of these activities, FFA sells citrus fruit and beef sticks.

“I help out when I can. I also sell a lot, too,” said McDowell.

When asked what she did to support FFA, Alyssa Debnar, a five-year FFA member, responded, “I help with the sales and setting up fundraisers.”

Amber Boring, a four-year FFA member, joined FFA because “my older brother was in FFA.”

“I show animals so I had to join FFA,” Debnar said.

“With me being in agriculture, it helps me learn more and stay updated. I joined to give back to the community,” McDowell said.

FFA is a peer leadership organization that helps its members to develop their unique talents. FFA is involved in public speaking, career development and agricultural education.

United’s FFA adviser, Kristie Good, said that “most people think that groceries come from the supermarket, but they don’t. Somebody has to grow them.”

That’s why the education that FFA provides is so important. When asked what FFA meant to him, McDowell said, “It is about helping people to understand agriculture.”